What Happens if My SPC Flooring Arrives Damaged Claims and Handling Guide 2025
Despite careful packaging and handling, SPC flooring can arrive damaged. The damage may be visible on the container exterior or discovered when you open the cartons. Knowing what to do immediately can save you thousands of dollars.
Inspect Before Accepting
Before the truck driver leaves your location, inspect the container exterior. If the container has visible dents, holes, or damage, make a note on the delivery receipt. Photograph the damage from multiple angles. If the container looks damaged, you have the right to note it on the paperwork. This protects your claim later.
Inspect Pallets Inside
After the container is unloaded, inspect each pallet. Check for crushed cartons, water stains on cartons, or signs that pallets shifted during transit. Open 2 to 3 cartons from each pallet and check for plank damage. Document everything with photos.
Types of Damage and Who Is Responsible
Crushed edges from improper stacking: Responsibility depends on where it happened. If the damage is inside a sealed container, it may be a loading issue. If the container itself is damaged, it likely happened during ocean transit.
Water damage: Check if the container had water entry. If the container is watertight but cartons inside are wet, the flooring may have been loaded with moisture. If the container has roof damage, the water came in during transit.
Broken locking edges: This is the most common damage. It often happens during loading or unloading if planks are dropped or mishandled.
How to File a Claim
If you have cargo insurance, file a claim with the insurance company. Provide the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, delivery receipt with damage notes, photos of damage, survey report if required by the insurance company.
Most insurance requires claims to be filed within 7 to 14 days of delivery. Check your policy timeline. If you do not have insurance, your options are limited. You can try to negotiate with the shipping line or freight forwarder, but legally they are not responsible for cargo damage unless you can prove negligence.
Prevention for Next Order
Buy cargo insurance for every shipment. The cost is typically 0.3 to 0.5 percent of the declared value. Take photos during unloading even if everything looks fine. Ask the factory to take loading photos showing how your goods were packed. Order 5 to 10 percent extra material to cover potential damage.
About PROLEADER
PROLEADER takes loading photos of every container and provides packaging documentation. We work with customers on damage claims and provide replacement product for verified factory loading issues. Contact us for insurance recommendations.
